Hochul Sends Full SNAP Payments To New Yorkers Amid Shutdown Standoff, Defies Federal Gov

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that the state had begun releasing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments to residents, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown that had halted benefits for more than a week. Her office confirmed to The New York Post that the first payments were issued Sunday — nine days after the shutdown froze food aid for millions.

Roughly 2.9 million New Yorkers depend on SNAP, commonly called food stamps, and Hochul said the decision was necessary to prevent further “chaos and confusion” caused by the federal stalemate. She directed state agencies to ensure the program remains fully funded through November.

The move, however, conflicts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent directive. On Saturday, the federal agency said any state issuing full SNAP benefits for November was acting “unauthorized” and instructed states to release only 65% of payments, with any overpayments to be clawed back later, Politico reported.

Although the state oversees SNAP distribution, the funds come entirely from the federal government. According to Hochul spokeswoman Jen Goodman, “The federal government is paying for it.” She noted that an outside vendor is responsible for transferring funds onto recipients’ electronic benefit cards.

Hochul doubled down on her criticism of the administration Friday, saying, “Let me be clear, President Trump is hellbent on preventing millions of Americans from putting food on the table. He’s made decision after decision to withhold funding that feeds families, seniors and children — and continues doubling down on this cruelty by challenging the courts’ clear orders.”

Her statement came just hours after Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced her campaign to challenge Hochul in the 2026 gubernatorial race, a matchup early polls suggest could be highly competitive.

Initially, the USDA had planned to fully fund November’s SNAP payments despite the shutdown. But the Trump administration appealed a court order that required those payments, arguing it would have forced the agency to tap into funds designated for other programs like the Child Nutrition Program. On Friday, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked that lower court ruling.

The average SNAP household receives about $332 a month, while families with children average roughly $575. The program provides food assistance to about 42 million Americans nationwide, costing between $8.5 and $9 billion monthly.

Republicans, meanwhile, maintain that restoring full benefits is straightforward — Democrats simply need to pass the government funding bill and reopen the government. The administration has ruled out diverting funds from the Child Nutrition Program, citing uncertainty over whether Congress would reimburse it.

Other states have taken varied approaches. Massachusetts and Connecticut have committed to fully funding the program, while Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, and North Dakota opted for partial payments. The shutdown, which began October 1, has now stretched into its sixth week, marking one of the longest in U.S. history.